Hot Press Student Survival Guide: The Pastime Of Your Life

Your college needs you! Well, sort of. A university is nothing without the creative, social and entrepreneurial buzz of its extra-curricular activities, so getting involved in some of the off-syllabus hijinks is not only fun and worthwhile, it’s your academic duty!

At university clubs and societies, you’ll have the opportunity to join a political party, become part of a major sports team, make a short film, strut your stuff down a catwalk, organise a festival, star in a play (anyone who was lucky enough to witness Cillian Murphy’s theatrical debut with UCC Drama Soc circa 1996, we want to hear from you!), form a band, climb a mountain, make some friends for life and even maybe save some lives.
And if for some reason you don’t find a society that you like, you can always create your own! Setting up a society couldn’t be simpler; pay a visit to your student union, complete the necessary paperwork, pay a small registration fee, and you’re good to go!
In the meantime, we’ve rounded up ten of the boldest and brightest clubs and societies in the country. Stick with these lot and you’re bound to have a college experience to remember!

TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN’S HISTORICAL SOCIETY
One of the oldest debating societies in the world, Trinity’s Historical Society was founded in 1747 by orator and political theorist Edmund Burke and some other fine fellows you may remember from the history books. Wolfe Tone was auditor in 1785, while Isaac Butt, Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker also called themselves members at one time or another. Lovingly known as The Hist, the society has also hosted talks from some of the biggest cheeses you can imagine, including Winston Churchill and William Butler Yeats. Having cleaned up at the European Universities Debating Championships this year, The Hist is among the best debating societies in the country, along with UCD’s L&H and Trinity’s rival debating society, The Phil. Recent speakers have included Pete Doherty, Jack White and Johnny Marr.

DCU’S MEDIA PRODUCTION SOCIETY
Winner of DCU’s Best Society 2013, MPS is the humble home of DCUfm, staffed by over 120 volunteers from across DCU’s faculties, and is among the most successful student stations in the country, broadcasting 24 hours a day. The society also covers DCUtv, which creates original programming in the genres of news, comedy and drama – but of course, students are always welcome to suggest ideas for new shows! MPS also organise events and competitions like the Hyrbid Awards and we’re told on good authority that their group nights out are “great craic altogether”.

QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST’S SWOT
One of the most innovative charitable student societies in Ireland, SWOT or Students Working Overseas Trust, was set up 37 years ago to generate much-needed funds for hospitals in the developing world and since then, it’s raised an estimated £1 million. What really sets this society apart from the rest is the directness of their approach; during the summer break, medical students travel to the developing country hospitals (no less than 12 across Africa and Asia) to deliver SWOT aid in person.

DUBLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL’S DANCE SOCIETY
Open to anyone with some limbs to move, regardless of experience, DBS Dance is one of the most active societies in the country, organising countless competitions and events throughout the academic year. Offering weekly dance classes and workshops for members (including a burlesque workshop in 2012!), the society scooped the Best New Society gong at the DBS Annual Sports and Societies Awards. So, whether you’ve got moves like Jagger or moves you picked up from your Da at your Auntie Sheila’s wedding, give it a try!

FILMSOC NUIG
Are you the next Jim Sheridan or Neil Jordan? If so, NUIG’s Film society wants you! Arguably the best film society in the country, it offers its members a bounty of perks including free cinema screenings, and an in-house film studio, which provides workshops, equipment and training to budding filmmakers. Filmsoc events in 2012 included sing-a-long screenings, festival trips, filmmaking competitions, in-depth workshops, short film-making tutorials and for the first time, they even held their own film festival!

FINOMICS NUIM
If you’re put off by the name, don’t be. Finomics is a lot more fun than it sounds. Whether you’re studying a related topic, you fancy meeting some like-minded budding entrepreneurs or you just want to vent your frustration at the state of the nation, this is the place to do it. As well as attracting high profile speakers like David McWilliams, Constantin Gurdgiev and Alan Dukes, Finomics organise social nights and academic discussions.

DCU’S STYLE SOCIETY
Famed for its multi award-winning fashion show, DCU Style Soc hosts countless fun and aesthetically-pleasing events throughout the year, not to mention plenty of unique nights out. Giving style-conscious students a chance to get involved with all areas of the fashion industry from organising to modeling to styling, their annual catwalk extravaganza is among the biggest dates on the Northside college’s calendar. DCU’s Style Society also publishes DCU’s only dedicated style magazine, The Look, which has been nominated twice for an oxegen.ie Smedia Award.

UL PARKOUR SOCIETY
If you want a new and – let’s face it!– completely bonkers way to stay in shape and meet new people, Parkour, the art of speedily navigating your environment using only yout own body weight and surroundings, might just be the discipline for you. An ecclectic mix of gymnastics, running and pretending to be a ninja, this is a sport that caters to almost everyone; all you need to get started is a pair of runners and an open mind. The University of Limerick is the first Irish college to have a listed Parkour society, but you can expect to see similar societies pop up in third level institutions around the country.

UCC ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY
If you’re concerned about your ecological footprint, UCC’s Environmental Society will be right up your street; providing a forum for discussion and collaboration on all things green, it encourages both students and staff to enjoy environmentally-friendly, sustainable lifestyles both on and off campus. The society also provides environmental activities for its members, student and staff, during all twelve months of the year.

MIC RAG SOC
Formed in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, in September 2012, the Raise And Give society aims to gather funds for charity in innovative and creative ways, encourage a greater student presence in both fundraising and volunteering, and create a positive image of students through the development of a culture of philanthropy. In just under a year, they have raised money for Breast Cancer Research Ireland, Prostate Cancer Research Ireland, The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and The Share a Dream Foundation, through such varied events as Chained for Cash, Movember Moustache Sale, Valentine’s Day Delivery Service, Hell and Back Run, and International Day of Happiness.